Philadelphia Eagles: Looking ahead at postseason scenarios

After going on the road and upsetting the Los Angeles Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles still see themselves in the thick of the playoff picture.

Going into Sunday night’s matchup with the Rams, nobody gave the Philadelphia Eagles a chance to win that game. Well, Nick Foles struck again and the Eagles head back east with a 30-23 win over the now 11-3 Rams.

Now at 7-7, many Eagles fans are wondering the same thing. Are the playoffs still possible? While unlikely, the answer to that question is still yes. Unless Dallas loses their final two games and the Eagles win out, the Eagles won’t win the NFC East. But, a Wild Card spot is still within reach.

Following Sunday night’s win, the Eagles odds to make the postseason jumped from 15% to 39%. The odds are still long, but if some things go the Eagles way, then maybe there will be January football for the second season in a row.

So how can the Eagles find a way to sneak into the playoffs? Let’s take a look at what has to happen over the next couple of weeks for the Eagles to make the postseason.

1. Eagles win out

The Eagles don’t control their own destiny, but losing one of their final two games likely ends any postseason hopes. Next Sunday, the Eagles welcome the Houston Texans to town and will need another strong performance from Foles and the offense to win that game over a very good Houston team.

Following that, the Eagles head to Landover, Maryland to take on the Washington Redskins. This is a Washington team the Eagles already dominated and are on their fourth quarterback of the season. If the Eagles can’t win this game, then they don’t deserve to make the playoffs.

So, if the Eagles win those two games, they will finish 9-7 and give themselves a fighters chance to sneak into the postseason. Remember 2008?

2. Vikings lose one of final two games

Unfortunately, the Vikings hold the tiebreaker over the Eagles as they have a head-to-head victory. Currently, at 7-6-1, the Eagles need the Vikings to finish at 8-7-1, or worse, to jump them for the sixth seed in the NFC.

Next Sunday, Minnesota travels to Detroit to take on the Lions. Detroit is not a very good team by any means, but the Vikings have to go on the road against a divisional opponent. This is not a game that anyone can pencil in a victory for Minnesota. It is a tough game that the Vikings could lose for sure.

Week 17, the Vikings play host to the Chicago Bears, one of the best teams in the NFC. If there is a game for Minnesota to lose, it is this game. With the NFC North wrapped up, there is a possibility Chicago rests their starters. Hopefully, the Bears are still fighting for a bye or home field advantage and they put their starters out there Week 17.

So, if Minnesota goes 1-1 over their last two games, they will be 8-7-1 and the Eagles will be alive. If the Vikings go 2-0, then they finish 9-6-1 and the Eagles are done. Going 0-2 will put Minnesota at 7-8-1, then the Eagles can sneak in at 8-8. But that is an extremely unlikely scenario.

3. Panthers lose one of final three games

The Carolina Panthers do not play until Monday night this week. Sitting at 6-7, if the Panthers lose one of their final three games, they are likely out of playoff contention. In their last three games, they play the Saints, Falcons, and Saints again.

If the Panthers find a way to win those last three games, then they deserve to make the postseason, but it is extremely unlikely. If Carolina and the Eagles both finish at 9-7, then the Panthers get the nod over the Eagles with the head-to-head advantage.

Bonus. Seattle loses out

After being upset by the 49ers on Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks are 8-6 on the season, holding onto the fifth seed in the NFC. If they lose out, they will finish at 8-8 and open up another slot for the Eagles to sneak into.

Seattle plays Kansas City next Sunday and Arizona Week 17. Going 0-2 seems very unlikely for them, especially since they play the Cardinals in two weeks. If it happens though, then the Eagles odds to make the postseason shoot way up.

So, now what?

If Dallas loses out and the Eagles win out, then the Eagles are NFC East champions. But the most likely scenario for the Eagles to make the postseason is this over the next two weeks:

Eagles: 2-0

Vikings: 1-1

Panthers: 2-1 at best

If all of that happens, then this is how the Wild Card will look when it is all set and done:

6. Eagles: 9-7

7. Vikings: 8-7-1

8. Panthers: 8-8

At the end of the day we know this, we are in for a wild ride over these next two weeks. Fans can only hope the Eagles take care of business and the rest falls into place. So strap in Eagles fans, this team is not done… yet.

It feels like 2008 all over again.